それに
And, Besides, Moreover, In addition
Structure
Explanation
The conjunction それに is often treated as a single vocabulary item, but it is actually formed from two distinct parts: the pronoun それ ('that') and the case marking particle に.
In this structure, それ refers to the entire statement that came just before it. The particle に then functions to attach a new, related piece of information. This combination effectively means 'to that' or 'on top of that', where 'that' is the previous sentence. It is most commonly translated as 'what's more', 'on top of that', or 'furthermore'.
- それに、この部屋は家賃が高すぎるんじゃない?On top of that, isn't the rent for this room too expensive?
- 佐藤さんは仕事ができる。それに性格もいい。Sato-san is good at his job. What's more, he has a great personality.
Because それに uses the particle に to build upon the prior information, the new information must share the same general sentiment. In other words, それに should connect two positive statements or two negative statements, but never a mix of both.
- テストで百点を取り、それに先生に褒められた!I got a perfect score on the test, and on top of that, the teacher praised me! (Natural Japanese, as both events are positive)
- 財布をなくしたし、それに終電にも乗り遅れて、とても困った。I lost my wallet, and in addition to that, I missed the last train. I was in a real bind. (Natural Japanese, as both events are negative)
- 映画は楽しかった。それに帰りに頭が痛くなった。The movie was fun. Furthermore, I got a headache on the way home. (Unnatural Japanese, as one event is positive, while the other is negative)
Examples
このアパートは広い。それに家賃が安い。
This apartment is spacious. On top of that, the rent is cheap.
熱があります。それに頭も痛いです。
I have a fever. In addition, my head hurts.
この仕事は給料がいい。それに残業も少ない。
This job has a good salary. Moreover, there isn't much overtime.
先生は親切だ。それに教え方が上手だ。
The teacher is kind. In addition, he's good at teaching.
朝ごはんはトーストとコーヒーでした。それに、ヨーグルトも食べました。
I had toast and coffee for breakfast. On top of that, I also had some yogurt.
今日は雨が降っているから、出かけたくない。それに、疲れている。
I don't want to go out today because it's raining. Besides, I'm tired.
試験に合格した。それに、満点だった。
I passed the exam. Moreover, I got a perfect score.
このスマホは値段が安い。それにカメラの性能もいい。
This smartphone is cheap. In addition, the camera performance is great.
もうケーキは食べられない。甘すぎる。それに、お腹がいっぱいだ。
I can't eat any more cake. It's too sweet. Besides, I'm already full.
あの町は交通が便利です。それに、美味しいレストランがたくさんあります。
That city has convenient transportation. Moreover, it has a lot of delicious restaurants.
昨日は買い物をしました。それに、映画も見ました。
I went shopping yesterday. In addition, I also saw a movie.
テストは難しかった。それに、時間が足りなかった。
The test was difficult. On top of that, I didn't have enough time.